Hormonal and neural mechanisms of food reward, eating behaviour and obesity

The rise in the prevalence of obesity has prompted numerous research efforts dedicated to better understanding the mechanisms underlying this trendA major focus of such research is the contribution of overeating, which can produce a positive energy balance and result in body weight gainMore recently, select endocrine factors associated with food intake and body weight have been shown to interact with neural systems of rewardPreclinical and clinical studies suggest that food reward and alterations in reward pathways may progress to food addiction